By this person
![Bruce Coolidge, programming director for Capital Athletic Club in downtown Sacramento, wears a Garmin Forerunner 305. Bruce Coolidge, programming director for Capital Athletic Club in downtown Sacramento, wears a Garmin Forerunner 305.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/img_a5.jpg?1577874531)
The Going Rate
Exercise gizmos in the 21st century
Bruce Coolidge, programming director for Capital Athletic Club in downtown Sacramento, wears a Garmin Forerunner 305.
![(Photos courtesy of Livescribe) (Photos courtesy of Livescribe)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/pulse_pen_paper.jpg?1577874531)
Get with the Programming
Local Java enthusiasts look to expand the capabilities of a really smart pen
In the unqualified realm of science fiction and fantasy, there have been genuine smart gadgets. Take, for example, Bobbi Anderson’s typewriter in Stephen King’s “The Tommyknockers,” which, when alien-enhanced, is able to tap Anderson’s thoughts into pages.
![Botanicalls technology sends Twitter updates to users when plants need water.
(Photo courtesy of Botanicalls) Botanicalls technology sends Twitter updates to users when plants need water.
(Photo courtesy of Botanicalls)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/img_5404.jpg?1577874531)
Diggin’ It
Can gardening go digital?
Try as they might, some people are incapable of keeping a plant alive. As easy as maintaining a regular watering schedule, proper lighting and keeping pests away seems, these black thumbs, as they’ve been termed, can still turn the hardiest species into compost after a few weeks. Two recent gadgets give a leg up to gardeners who can’t quite get the swing and offer a chance to bring the power of networks and databases to everyday life.